Foundations
38 guides covering the fundamentals of self-hosting. Docker, Linux, networking, reverse proxies, backups, and security — everything you need to get started.
Backup Strategy: The 3-2-1 Rule
Protect your self-hosted data with the 3-2-1 backup rule — three copies, two media types, one offsite. Complete guide.
Docker Compose Basics for Self-Hosting
Learn Docker Compose fundamentals — services, volumes, networks, and environment variables for running self-hosted apps.
Docker Networking for Self-Hosting
Understand Docker bridge networks, host networking, container DNS, and inter-container communication for self-hosted apps.
Docker Volumes and Persistent Data
Master Docker volumes, bind mounts, and data persistence — keep your self-hosted app data safe across container updates.
Getting Started with Self-Hosting
Everything you need to start self-hosting — hardware, software, your first app, and the mindset shift from cloud to self-hosted.
Reverse Proxy Setup for Self-Hosting
Set up Nginx Proxy Manager, Traefik, or Caddy as a reverse proxy with automatic SSL for your self-hosted apps.
SSH Setup and Security for Self-Hosting
Secure your self-hosted server with SSH key authentication, hardened config, and essential security practices.
DNS Explained for Self-Hosting
Understand how DNS works and how to configure it for your self-hosted services — A records, CNAME, split DNS, and local resolution.
Firewall Setup with UFW
Set up UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) on your Linux server to control network access and secure your self-hosted services.
SSL Certificates for Self-Hosting
How SSL/TLS certificates work, how to get free certificates with Let's Encrypt, and how to set up HTTPS for your self-hosted services.
Fail2ban Setup for Self-Hosting
Install and configure fail2ban to protect your self-hosted server from brute-force attacks on SSH, web apps, and Docker services.
Linux Basics for Self-Hosting
Essential Linux commands and concepts every self-hoster needs — file navigation, package management, process control, and system administration.
Cron Jobs for Self-Hosting
Set up cron jobs on Linux to automate backups, updates, cleanup, and maintenance tasks for your self-hosted server and Docker containers.
Linux File Permissions for Self-Hosting
Understand Linux file permissions, ownership, and access control — essential knowledge for managing Docker volumes and self-hosted services.
Systemd Services for Self-Hosting
Learn how to create, manage, and troubleshoot systemd services on Linux — essential for running self-hosted apps that start on boot.
Network Ports Explained for Self-Hosting
Understand network ports, common port numbers, Docker port mapping, and how to avoid conflicts when running multiple self-hosted services.
Static IP and DHCP for Self-Hosting
Configure a static IP address on your Linux server and understand DHCP — essential for reliable self-hosted services that don't change addresses.
Docker Environment Variables Explained
Master Docker environment variables — .env files, docker-compose.yml syntax, secrets management, and best practices for self-hosted services.
VLANs and Subnets for Self-Hosting
Understand VLANs, subnets, and network segmentation for your homelab — isolate IoT devices, secure self-hosted services, and organize traffic.
Dockerfile Basics for Self-Hosting
Learn Dockerfile fundamentals — build custom images, extend existing containers, and create reproducible self-hosted service deployments.
Disaster Recovery for Self-Hosting
Plan and test disaster recovery for your homelab — restore from backups, handle disk failures, and get self-hosted services back online fast.
Home Server Cost Breakdown
How much does self-hosting actually cost? A detailed breakdown of hardware, electricity, and internet costs vs cloud subscriptions you replace.
Port Forwarding for Self-Hosting
Set up port forwarding on your router to access self-hosted services from the internet — plus safer alternatives like Cloudflare Tunnel.
Dynamic DNS Setup for Self-Hosting
Set up Dynamic DNS so your domain always points to your home server, even when your ISP changes your public IP address automatically.
Updating Docker Containers Safely
How to update self-hosted Docker containers without losing data — manual updates, Watchtower automation, rollback strategies, and best practices.
Monitoring Your Home Server
Set up monitoring for your self-hosted server — track uptime, resource usage, and get alerts when services go down or disks fill up.
Docker Troubleshooting Guide
Fix common Docker and Docker Compose problems — container won't start, port conflicts, permission errors, networking issues, and more.
Why Self-Host? The Case for Owning Your Data
The practical reasons to self-host your services — data ownership, cost savings, privacy, no vendor lock-in, and learning valuable skills.
Docker Security Best Practices
Secure your Docker containers and self-hosted services — run as non-root, limit capabilities, manage secrets, and harden your Docker daemon.
Choosing a Linux Distro for Self-Hosting
Compare Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and other Linux distributions for your self-hosted server — stability, Docker support, and community resources.
Docker Container Logging Guide
Manage Docker container logs effectively — view logs, configure rotation, centralize with Loki, and debug issues in your self-hosted services.
RAID Explained for Self-Hosting
Understand RAID levels for your home server — RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and ZFS. Which to use, which to avoid, and why RAID isn't a backup.
Cloudflare Tunnel Setup Guide
Expose self-hosted services to the internet securely with Cloudflare Tunnel — no port forwarding, free DDoS protection, and automatic HTTPS.
Encrypted DNS: DoH, DoT, and DoQ Explained
Understand DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, and DNS-over-QUIC — what they are, why they matter, and how to set them up for self-hosting.
Tailscale Setup for Self-Hosting
Set up Tailscale to securely access your self-hosted services from anywhere — zero port forwarding, automatic encryption, and easy device mesh.
Two-Factor Authentication for Self-Hosting
Set up 2FA for your self-hosted apps — TOTP, WebAuthn, and passkeys explained with practical setup steps and recovery strategies.
Nginx Proxy Manager Setup Guide
Install and configure Nginx Proxy Manager with Docker — the easiest reverse proxy for self-hosting with automatic SSL and a web-based GUI.
WireGuard VPN Setup for Self-Hosting
Set up WireGuard VPN on your server for encrypted remote access to your self-hosted services — fast, modern, and simple to configure.